Thursday, February 2, 2012

A very good friend of mine and I are avid readers. I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas and about 2 weeks ago started reading The Hunger Games series. I was able to get books 1 and 2 free through the Kindle Lending Library, but had to wait about a week before I could get the 3rd. (Only allowed one "lend" per month).

So, after talking with my friend who's son is currently reading the series, we agreed that I would buy the third book in the bookstore, read it and then give it to her and her son. She would reimburse me for the cost of the book.

On Feb. 1st, I was able to get the 3rd book for free on my Kindle. So this morning, I put the hardcover book that I bought in a gift bag with a note addressed to my friend and her son that said "Happy Reading". I told her that I didn't want reimbursed for the book...that instead, we could make a date to see the movie version when it comes out next month.

Made me happy to do that.

But then I felt that the good I did was negated when I lost my temper with my girls this afternoon. I tried so hard to keep my cool but they really pushed my buttons and I lost it with them -- sending them both to their rooms for an extended time-out.

After cooling down a bit, I went up to see my girls. My youngest had fallen asleep, so I just whispered into her ear that mommy was sorry. With my oldest, I explained that I was disappointed with her behavior but that I was disappointed with my behavior too. We hugged and made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner. So, feeling a bit better there!

On a blessing side -- we've been looking to get new tires for my Jeep. We've been saving and trying to get a good deal. A friend of ours has a neighbor who deals with tires By chance, this neighbor shows up at the bar where my husband was at with friends. They start chatting and hubby finds out that he works for Big O Tires and offered to get us a deal on our tires!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

I'm a planner. I like to be in control. I like to have things neat and proper and everything planned to a "T". But this challenge has thrown me. I'd been brainstorming about the kinds of things I could do -- and have a few things in mind already. But I think part of challenging myself to being open to God's plan for me is to just "be" and see where the opportunity may just come up to give. But then I'm afraid that if I do that, I might miss an opportunity and that a day would go by where I didn't give.
* Today, I got up with my husband and made him his lunch. Something he usually does himself, but this morning I got up and did it for him.

* When I left the Sprout market, I smiled and said "Good morning" to a random stranger. Imagine my surprise, when I heard my 3-yr. old mimic me to say "Good morning" herself.

* When we got home, instead of jumping immediately into household chores, I spent the morning playing with and reading to my youngest daughter. In return, she gave me the gift of laughter -- her giggles just filling the room and my heart with joy.

* As I was preparing dinner, I realized that there were two gifts I could give my husband. Instead of leaving a full trash can for him to empty when he came home from the base, I emptied the trash myself and put in a new bag. I also refilled our iced tea pitcher instead of leaving less than a glass and making him make a new pitcher.

I have to keep reminding myself that small is ok and that a gift doesn't have to be a grand thing.

Welcome!

Welcome to Money and Me!

I'm Jennifer. I'm a SAHM and military wife of 15 years. I created this blog as a place where I can share my struggles with over 20+ years of compulsive spending. It's also a place where I can also share my journey out of the pit of debt.

While searching for support for my problem, I discovered that there really wasn't a lot out there where others can share their stories.

And if you're wondering, I chose a Sesame Street theme for this blog because seeing these characters makes me smile and laugh. And as I write about my journey and struggles, I want to still be able to look at something happy and smile.

It is my hope that if you struggle with debt, compulsive spending, or both that you can come here, see Cookie Monster and smile. I hope that Bert and Ernie will give you the courage to share your story and know that you are not alone.